Defra - Situation update: Digital services restored

We would like to thank you for your continued cooperation whilst some of Defra digital services have experienced technical issues over the last few days.

The power outage has now been fully resolved and Defra digital services are once again fully operational. This includes the Automatic Licence Verification System (ALVS). All Imports that arrived after 21:00 14 May 2024 will now clear as normal.

Exceptionally, SPS cleared goods affected by the outage which started from 07:45 11/05/24, have been instructed to move away from the border location under customs control. This is a temporary contingency measure. If any goods affected by the outage remain at a border location (eg. uncollected containerised loads) you should immediately contact the port and arrange for collection of those consignments.

Goods moved away from the border location under customs control will still show as held on the Customs Declaration System (CDS). At this time, please do not contact the National Clearance Hub to request for your goods to be released. Declarations will be updated as soon as possible but this does not affect the ability for goods to be directed away from the border. If you use an agent, please stay in contact with them for further updates.

There are no restrictions on the use or processing of the goods directed away from the border under customs control as part of the outage of Defra systems. Businesses are reminded that they have a legal responsibility to pay any outstanding duties for these imports once the declaration is finalised.
 

In urgent scenarios where your goods continue to be held at a port please email: servicetransformation.support@defra.gov.uk

The email subject must be:

‘SPS Customs Hold’

You must include the:
 

• Common Health Entry Document (CHED) Reference Number
• Movement Reference Number (MRN)

 
Traders will need to continue to comply with any instruction to attend a BCP or CP for further Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) inspection. Continue to monitor IPAFFS for updates.